Illegal alien arrested by ICE found registered as active Democrat voter in Maryland
DES MOINES, IOWA: Ian Andre Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was arrested by ICE for being an illegal immigrant. He was later revealed to be an active registered Democrat voter in Maryland, Republicans.
Roberts, who had overstayed a student visa dating back to 1999, was still leading Iowa’s largest school district at the time of his arrest. His case has now fueled debate over election integrity and immigration enforcement.
Illegal immigrant's voter registration
BREAKING: Another Maryland Man controversy!
— Maryland Freedom Caucus (@MDFreedomCaucus) September 29, 2025
Have you heard the story of Ian Andre Roberts, the Superintendent for Des Moines Public Schools? He was arrested late last week for a standing deportation order. Turns out, he is actively registered to vote in Maryland, despite being… pic.twitter.com/T7XlAobQ6O
The Maryland Freedom Caucus highlighted that Roberts, who overstayed a student visa in 1999, has an active Democrat voter registration in Maryland despite not being a US citizen. Columnist Dustin Grage confirmed through the Maryland State Board of Elections website that Roberts’ voter status remains active.
Republican Delegate Matt Morgan told Fox News Digital that Roberts’ registration allowed him to vote in all federal, state, and local elections, even though he had not lived in Maryland for years. He added that state law does not permit non-citizens to register to vote.
Freedom Caucus demands answers
The House Freedom Caucus demanded answers from the Maryland State Board of Elections over what they called “gaping holes” in election integrity.
On September 29, the caucus sent a letter questioning why the board had resisted a Department of Justice request for voter roll data. State Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis argued that sharing data could be used for “immigration enforcement against Maryland residents."
"If illegal aliens are not allowed to vote, why would they be on the voter rolls in the first place? And how would that enhance immigration enforcement?
I don't know, but that's the excuse that they wrote to the DOJ," Morgan asked, commenting on the letter. "It's ridiculous, everyone reasonably wants a safe and secure election," he added.
Ian Andre Roberts’ arrest and current status
Roberts continued to head Des Moines Public Schools even after his employment authorization expired in 2020. He was arrested last week when ICE agents found him hiding in brush while fleeing a fugitive warrant.
Officials reported that Roberts, who had prior illegal weapon charges and a 2024 removal order, was caught with cash, a knife, and a loaded gun in his vehicle. His teaching license has been revoked, and the school board placed him on unpaid leave.
